Vancouver, Wash.-based IPA 300 firm Opsahl Dawson & Company Advisors LLC (FY23 net revenue $24.3 million) announced it has formed a strategic partnership with Hauser Jones & Sas (HJS), effective Nov. 1. With this transaction, Opsahl Dawson operates four offices with a team of 180 partners and professionals.
HJS expands Opsahl Dawson’s presence into Bellevue, Wash., joining the firm’s existing Washington offices in Vancouver, Lacey and Longview/Kelso.
“We are both home-grown Washington firms built on hard work, strong values and dedication to our people, our clients, our profession and our communities. We have both perfected the client service model and have the most engaged employees in the industry,” said Aaron Dawson, CEO of Opsahl Dawson. “Both firms are on an endless pursuit of excellence, and we never stop evolving. Our combination elevates that mission in so many ways that will benefit our people and our clients.”
“Among the first criteria we evaluated was the cultural fit between our organizations, and we found that Opsahl Dawson’s values meshed very well with our own. Their people-first culture is a natural extension of our teamwork, commitment, and integrity values,” said Ellen Sas, MP of HJS. “And on top of that, we knew we would be joining a forward-thinking firm pursuing cutting-edge technology, with access to deep resources and experience in growth, operations and recruiting. This was the right time for us, with the right people.”
Opsahl Dawson is a partner firm on the Ascend growth platform, backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors. Ascend’s platform enables regional accounting firms to remain independent while accessing the sophisticated resources of a larger firm to overcome the challenges of the traditional CPA partnership model and reach their full potential.
“As a local firm, we faced the staggering pace of technological change and significant staffing challenges impacting the entire accounting industry. Our combination with Opsahl Dawson gives us a deeper bench of expertise in multiple technical areas, which will allow faster and more accurate results in even the most complex situations,” Sas said.
“Southwest Washington is in need of a firm that offers not only tax services but also audit and assurance specialties. Combining two great firms has a way of accenting our great attributes. We get to build on each other’s strengths,” Dawson said. “Plus, I started my career in Bellevue 15 years ago at Clark Nuber, and it is great to be back.”
